George W. Bush and Bill Clinton Discuss Humility

The United States is more polarized over party issues than it has been in decades - some would even argue that the country is becoming as divided as it was pre-Civil War.

Our current political climate, in which name calling and mud slinging are commonplace, makes it all the sweeter to see George W. Bush and Bill Clinton finding common ground, complimenting one another, and when they do disagree, finding a way to do it respectfully.

The pair appeared onstage at the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas on Thursday for a conversation in front of about 300 people.

I think it's really important to know what you don't know and listen to people who do know what you don't know. —George W. Bush

Topics ranged from their administrations to their grandchildren, and while they never once mentioned current President Trump by name, some comments gave the impression that he was top of mind for the two former presidents.

When asked what most important quality a president needs to have, both men responded with "humility."

"I think it's really important to know what you don't know and listen to people who do know what you don't know," Bush said. "He (Clinton) was humble in victory, which is very important in dealing with other people."

Clinton echoed his statement saying, "I also think you have to begin with the end in mind. That is, you have to say say, yeah you gotta win the election, but why the heck are you running? That's the other thing I noticed about [Bush]. When he ran for governor against Ann Richards, he didn't say Ann Richards is a klutz, he said I want to be governor because I want to do 1,2,3 things - a couple of them I didn't agree with--but he had an agenda. If you want to be president, realize it's about the people not about you."

Asked what the most important quality is for someone who wants to be president, former Pres. George W. Bush says "humility." pic.twitter.com/HtGuhrcAXo